Wire-stretcher



(No Model.)

J. L. GRAIN. WIRE STRETGHBR.

Patented Dec. 26, 1893.

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UNITEDl STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JHN L. GRAIN, OF MAYSVILLE, ARKANSAS.

WIRE-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent 170,511,591', dated December 26, 1893. Application filed May 15, 1893. Serial No. 474,221. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern."

Be it known that I, JOHN L. GRAIN, of the city of Maysville, Benton' county, and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire-Stretchers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to an improved wire stretcher and consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully'hereinafter described and designated in the claim.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved wire stretcher which shall be very simple in construction, effective in use and of low cost. s

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan View of the stretcher, with a part broken away. Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an auxiliary device used in carrying out the invention. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a wire fence, and illustrating the operation of my invention.

l indicates the body of the stretcher, which is-preferably made of suitable size of malleable iron, or cast steel .inv order to have the requisite strength.

I will prefare my description by stating that the device is to be used as a lever in stretching the wire, having a sufficient length The body 1 at a point intermediate of its length is provided with a widened portion 2, in the upper face of which is formed a depression 3 having a smooth iiat inner surface and an integral projection 4. which has a free inner end and overhangs a portion of said surface, and forms an open slot or recess 5 beneath said projection. The free end, or rather the outer end of the body 1 is provided with a sharp or attenuated point 6, so as to be readily driven into the Wooden posts of the fence during use, and said body from the widened portion 2 outward, tapers or is inclined.

7 indicates agriplever,the rear end of which extends a sufficient distance rearward to be within easy reach of the operator and is provided with a vertical handle 8, which is preferably formed by bending upward a portion of the lever until it occupies a position at a right angle to the body of said lever. The forward and outer end of the grip lever is bent downward and outward and is provided with a gripping jaw 9 having flat and smooth upper and lower faces, and a rounded or curved free outer end or edge 10 which projects into and engages the slot 5 beneathfthe projection 4. The grip-lever 7 is pivotally connected to the body 1 lat a point intermediate of its length, by means of a suitable rivet or bolt 11, so that the gripping jaw 9 is loosely mounted upon the flat surface of the depression 3, and is adapted to be drawn around as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1.

`The free outer edge 10 of the gripping jaw 9 is constructed to form a sort of cam, that is, it is not concentric with relation to the center of the pivot upon which the grip lever works. It is eccentric with relation to the base 12 of the slot or recess 5.

13 indicates the inner end of the body 1, which may be formed as here shown comparatively short and provided with an exterior screw thread, or it may be extended a sufficient distance to form a vproper handle or lever, as no invention would be required to so extend it; or I may connect an ordinary piece of gas pipe 14E with this shank by means of a threaded coupling 15, in order to extend the length of the shank a sufficient distance. In other cases, an ordinary piece of gas pipe of sufficient size and length, may be loosely placed with its bore in engagement with said shank, and in such case the threads upon said shank would of course be omitted.

16 indicates a stay or brace used in carryi ing out the invention. 4It is preferably made of round iron with two parallel arms 17 at one end and anl eye 1 8 at thel opposite end.

The outer ends of the arms 17 are free and provided with sharpened points 19, by means of which said arms may be readily pushed V swung around until it lies more or less para allel to the shank of the said body therebyj gripping thewire between the eccentric edge of the grip-jaw and the base 12 of said slot and then the entire device is used as a lever with the post 22 as a fulcrum, properly to stretch said wire, said, wire being y firmly gripped between the eccentric" edge 10 of said grip jaw and the base of said slot in the body of the stretcher. The overhanging projection 4 prevents the wire from slipping out laterally during the stretching operation. In the meanwhile, the stay or brace 16 has been placed in position with its eye 18 located upon the shank of the stretcheradjacent the inner end thereof, with its body inclined and with its arinsIQ resting '1n contact with the ground.

As'soon' asthe Voperator has propverlystretche'd thenreturn and release the wirefrom the stretcher, and repeat the operation as often as desired.

I am aware that prior to my invention wirestretchers have been constructed in the form of a lever `havinga sharpened end and arranged to stretch a wirebyclamping the same between a fixed jaw and a movable jaw carriedby'the stretcher, and I do not broadly claim such.

WVhat I claim is- The combination, of a wire stretching device constructed `in the form of a lever and provided with a' movable clamping jaw to hold and stretch a Wire, and an anchor 16 having two integral, parallel arm`s'17 pointed at their outer ends, and a circular eye r1S `at. the opposite end `which loosely encircles and lolds said lever, substantiallya's hereinspeci- In testimonywhereof"I affix my'signatre in presence of' two witnesses.

JOHN L. GRAIN.

iVitnesses:

JOE D. YEARGAIN, PERcY WYLY. 

